Philadelphia investigation finds against Charles Dutoit

In contrast to Montreal, which has just found the sexual harassment claims against him to be unproven, a Philadelphia Orchestra internal investigation has found the published allegations to be ‘credible’.

The orchestra has cut all ties with its former conductor laureate, who denies any misconduct.

How seriously can one take an investigation which divulges nothing except a guilty verdict preceded by punshment for alleged mis-conduct? We are living in a crazy world where instant punishment (ruined reputation, dismissal, revocation of honours) is meted out as a result of allegations. How often have we lately seen victims of allegations winning their cases when they spend time and money taking their accusers and their backers to court? At least Montreal have belatedly investigated in a more transparent way and had to admit they could find no proof of guilt. It is good to know that Maestro Dutoit is keeping his head when all about him are losing theirs…

The Orchestra management reiterated after the end of the investigation that the accusations are “extremely credible” and that nothing should be inferred by the decision by the plaintiffs to not go on the record. Also mentioned that they would have required written, signed testimonies sent to Dutoit to proceed. Given that the OSM already had no intention to hire Dutoit ever again, we can understand why the victims decided not to go through this.

He hasn’t been sent to jail, or financially ruined, or even sacked. Nobody can force an orchestra to hire him…and that is true for any conductor. There are plenty of people I have declined to interact with since I just didn’t much like their behaviour.

So….the Philly bans him for life, then does an investigation and reports that yep, it’s possible he might’ve done something bad. But we’re not going to say what. Or how we investigated. And it doesn’t matter because we already banned him for life.

I’m not saying Charles Dutoit isn’t a dirtbag….. Just questioning a world where somebody can pop a denunciation to the Inquisition into the mouth of the lion in front of San Marco and completely wipe out another person’s career.

From the archives

From the archives

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